Cristiano Ronaldo rejoined Manchester United in the summer of 2021 only to discover a deep rot in the squad and a side that doesn’t match his ambitions. The return to Manchester United has seen him deliver his worst individual results since winning his first Ballon d’Or.
Manchester United have rewarded bad behaviour and results in the past, and it has caught up with them, as the players struggle to meet the high demands of competing for elite titles. The Portuguese, who is accustomed to challenging for titles, fears United are not in the frame to deliver the platform for him. There is also a fear that Manchester United would not qualify for the Champions League and that the Portuguese might demand to leave the club.
Ronaldo could leave United in the summer
Manchester United are in a battle to finish in the top four of the English Premier League. The Red Devils have stolen a march on West Ham and Arsenal, but the Gunners have three games in hand and are just four points behind United. Wolverhampton Wanderers also have a chance of catching up with Manchester United. They have two games in hand and a six-point deficit.
It would be unthinkable to see a Champions League without Ronaldo while still active. The return of Ronaldo to Old Trafford was amid fanfare and was to usher in the glory days for the Red Devils. It has not gone to script, with the Mancunian side still struggling to deliver results.
Manchester United are fourth on the log, but there are no guarantees that the club will secure a Champions League place. The 4-2 win over rivals Leeds United was spirit-lifting, but the defensive frailties in the side were there for all to see. It is doubtful that United can keep the current momentum going.
Form and battles in the club
Ronaldo has scored nine Premier League goals this season for Manchester United and is the club top scorer in the Champions League this season with six goals. The Champions League is his turf, and the Portuguese would not want to play in the Europa League. If United fail to secure a place in the Champions League next season, he could demand to leave.
According to The Mirror, if Ronaldo decides to leave United, the club would not stand in his way.
The club isng to view the signing of Ronaldo as a mistake driven by commercial factors. The club would want to recoup some of the £13 million they paid Juventus last summer.
Ronaldo has been criticised for his lack of pressing and attitude in defeats.
There has been reports of a power struggle between him and Harry Maguire. Maguire has denied the reports, with Ralf Rangnick throwing his weight behind him as captain. Rangnick described the reports as nonsense, saying that he has not discussed any issue with any player and that Maguire remains the club captain.
By :
Steven D. Thompson
